{"id":113,"date":"2017-11-30T18:18:26","date_gmt":"2017-11-30T18:18:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drdeangelodds.com\/blog\/?p=113"},"modified":"2017-12-05T18:20:44","modified_gmt":"2017-12-05T18:20:44","slug":"dentist-homer-glen-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drdeangelodds.com\/blog\/2017\/11\/30\/dentist-homer-glen-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Dentist in Homer Glen Says Brush Your Tongue, Too"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"girlShould you brush your tongue? It\u2019s a common question — and the answer is a resounding yes. Even if you manage brush and floss your teeth as often as you should, you\u2019re missing an important part of oral hygiene if you\u2019re not brushing your tongue, too. This part of your mouth is a perfect environment for bacteria buildup, which can give you bad breath and also raise your risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease. If you want to ace your visits to your dentist in Homer Glen, make sure you\u2019re cleaning your <\/span>entire <\/span><\/i>mouth when you brush\u2026 including your tongue.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Hitting Bacteria Where It Lives<\/span><\/h2>\n

Even though you can\u2019t get cavities on this part of your mouth, the rough surface of your tongue makes it a perfect place for the buildup of harmful oral bacteria. When the acids from what you eat combine with the harmless bacteria that exists naturally in your mouth, \u201cbad\u201d bacteria quickly forms — and it loves to make a home on your teeth, around your gums, and, yes, on your tongue. <\/span><\/p>\n

(Almost) No Substitute for the Brush<\/span><\/h2>\n

Many patients make the mistake of thinking that using a mouthrinse is enough to remove the bacteria that builds up around your taste buds and the surface of your tongue. We wish it were true — but to really get this soft part of your mouth clean, you need to take a brush to it. Tongue scrapers work, too, if you prefer that method. These are small, hard plastic devices that you can buy at the pharmacy. Just make sure you clean the scraper (or toss the disposable ones) after each use. <\/span><\/p>\n

How to Clean Your Tongue<\/span><\/h2>\n

Now that you know how important it is to clean your tongue, let\u2019s look at how to do it right. <\/span><\/p>\n